Overview
BNMIT (B. N. M. Institute of Technology), an autonomous institution under Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), announced the launch of an in‑house seed‑funding programme aimed at fostering student entrepreneurship. The college, located in South‑Bangalore, traces its heritage to 1972 through the BNM Educational Institutions (BNMEI) group and offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in artificial intelligence, information science, machine learning, electronics and management.
Seed‑Funding Programme Details
The new initiative allocates up to Rs 3,00,000 per project to student teams that propose socially‑relevant ventures. To unlock the funding, students must prepare comprehensive project presentations, an impact matrix and a projected return‑on‑investment (ROI) analysis, thereby simulating a real‑world investor‑pitch environment. The programme is positioned as a first‑ever offering among Indian colleges, intended to give BNMIT students early exposure to venture‑capital style funding and to enhance their readiness for industry challenges.
Institutional Perspective
Dean Prof. Eishwar Maanay highlighted that analytical, problem‑solving and communication skills, combined with the ability to attract funding, are critical for modern entrepreneurs. He stated that the industry seeks “unique yet impactful projects” and that the seed‑funding experience will provide BNMIT graduates with a competitive edge over peers from other institutions.
Academic Innovation – PGPA Grading
Complementing the entrepreneurship push, BNMIT has instituted a Professional Grade Point Average (PGPA) system that assesses students on parameters such as communication skills, personal well‑being, creativity quotient and problem‑solving abilities, in addition to traditional academic marks. This people‑first grading mechanism is designed to nurture independent thinking and ownership of ideas throughout the students’ academic journey.
Additional Context
The press release notes that BNMIT’s management school (BNMIT MBA) is ranked among the leading MBA colleges in the region and that the institution’s pedagogy blends fundamental business principles with ground‑zero simulations. The announcement was distributed by Business Wire India, with a disclaimer that PTI assumes no editorial responsibility for the content.